Material discharge arrangement for hopper structures

ABSTRACT

A discharge arrangement for hopper structures including a sliding gravity gate which is movable to open and closed positions relative to the hopper structure with the gate being movable by a manually operable mechanism. A pneumatic discharge pan is positioned beneath the gate and may be selectively interconnected by an indexing arrangement with the gate to move therewith to the open and closed positions. The manually selectable indexing arrangement by movement of a single rotating shaft is adapted to connect the discharge pan to the gate for movement therewith, to lock the pan in position underneath the discharge opening of a hopper with the gate moved to an out-ofthe-way position, and to lock both the gate and the discharge pan in a closed position.

United States Patent [72] Inventor William D. Mundinger Highland: ErnestJ. Nagy, Munster, Ind. [21] Appl. No. 763,745 [22] Filed Sept. 30, 1968[45] Patented May 18, 1971 1 Assignees Pullman, Incorporated Chicago,Ill.

[54] MATERIAL DISCHARGE ARRANGEMENT FOR HOPPER STRUCTURES 14 Claims, 8Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl 302/52, 222/193, 222/545, 105/282, 105/308[51] Int. Cl B65g 53/40 [50] Field of Search 105/282, 308, 309, 310;302/52; 222/193, 506, 545 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,393,017 2/1968 Smith 302/52 3,446,538 5/1969 Danielsonf.

Primary Examiner-Stanley l-l. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-H. S. LaneAtlorneysHilmond O. Vogel and Wayne Morris Russell ABSTRACT: A dischargearrangement for hopper structures including a sliding gravity gate whichis movable to open and closed positions relative to the hopper structurewith the gate being movable by a manually operable mechanism. Apneumatic discharge pan is positioned beneath the gate and may bePATENTEUHAYWIHYI 3.57 .815

' 7 snmlnra INVENTORS WILLIAM 0. MUNDINGER I ERNESTJ. NA ATT'Y.

PATENTED Y IS I $578,815

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' INVENTORS WILLIAM 0. MUNDINGER ERNESTJ. NAGY MATERIAL DISCHARGEARRANGEMENT FOR I-IOPIER STRUCTURES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Fieldof the Invention The invention relates to the art of dischargemechanisms for vehicle hopper structures which have outlets at theirlower ends for the discharge of materials. Such mechanisms are generallyused in railway hopper cars and the structure utilized contains both asliding gate which is movable for discharge of materials by gravity anda pneumatic discharge pan which may be positioned so that materials maybe pneumatically withdrawn from the interior of the hopper.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art includes structureswherein a gravity gate includes a mechanism which withdraws the gate topermit gravity discharge. A sanitary pan may be positioned beneath thegravity gate, and upon withdrawal of the gravity gate the pan is alsomoved by the gate to an open position. Thus simultaneous movement of agravity gate and a closure member beneath the discharge opening of ahopper structure are old in the art. This is further exemplified bystructures as shown in the Campbell US Pat. No. 1,342,091 wherein anupper and a lower gate include interconnecting linkage mechanisms whichpermit simultaneous opening of both closures to the open position. It isbroadly old in the field of closure members to utilize the structureshown in the Kraemer US. Pat. No. 1,931,661 wherein a closure member inthe form of a window may be selectively connected to a window guard formoving both to open and closed positions.

SUMMARY The invention is concerned primarily with a hopper gatedischarge structure wherein a gravity gate is moved by a manuallyoperable mechanism and a pneumatic discharge pan is disposed beneath thegravity gate and may be selectively indexed for movement therewith, orinto a lock position independent of the gravity gate, or connected tothe gravity gate for a transport and closed position relative to thedischarge hopper. The selective indexing means requires only therotation of a single shaft to accomplish the different desiredpositrons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational view of ahopper structure having a bottom outlet and discharge structuretherefor;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a gravity gate, ahopper discharge structure, and an index mechanism supported on apneumatic material discharge member;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view with portions broken away, taken alongthe line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, with portions broken away, similar toFIG. 5 showing a certain position of an indexing mechanism; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing another position of anindexing mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A hopper discharge arrangementis designated in FIG. I by the reference character 10 and includes ahopper II. One or more hoppers II may be suitably supported on a vehiclesuch as a railway car for containing and transporting granulated bulkand other similar materials. The arrangement I0 includes a frame 12having side frame members I3, a from frame member I4 connected thereto,and a rear frame member 15,

such frame members generally being disposed in a rectangularconfiguration underneath a discharge opening provided at the bottom ofthe hopper 11. The side and front frame members, respectively I3 and 14,include diverging flanges 16 which are suitably connected to the wallsof the hopper II. The side frame members 13 each also include an uppertrack I7 and a lower track III. The side frame members 13 extendrearwardly where they are connected to a transversely extendingsupporting structure I9 which includes an upright bracket 20 supportingracks 21 which are connected at their forward ends to brackets 22supported on the rear frame member 15. Each rack includes rack teeth 23.

A gravity gate is designated at 24. An angle bracket 26 is supported onthe hopper II and on the rear frame member 15 and includes a portionproviding the upper end of a transversely extending vertical opening 27.As best indicated in FIG. 5 the gate 24 is movable through the opening27 and as shown in FIG. 3 slides on the track I7 provided by each sideframe member I3. In the closed position of the gate 24 as best shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 a transversely extending seal member 28 projects upwardlyfrom the gate 24 and suitably closes the opening 27 against the entranceof foreign materials or the escape of transported materials from thehopper II. A pair of upwardly inclined brackets 29 have connectedthereto pinions 30 which are rotatable by an operating shaft 31rotatably mounted on the brackets 29 so that upon rotation of such shaft31 the pinions 30 and rack teeth 23 cooperate to move the gate 24 fromopen to closed positions. The gate 24 is also provided with a verticalopening generally designated at 33 as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

A pneumatic pan or pneumatic material discharge member is generallyreferred to by the reference character 34 and is provided on its bottomwith a pair of transversely spaced slide strips 35 which are slidable onthe tracks 18 of the side frame members 13. A downwardly extendingflange 36 is provided at the end of the pan 34. A conventional pneumaticdischarge tube or outlet 37 is provided for communication with the interior of the pan 34 and may be connected to a suitable source of vacuumfor discharging materials. During nonusecaps 38 (only one of which isshown) are positioned over the ends of the outlet 37. As best shown inFIGS. I and 3 the pan 34 includes a dished portion 39 which in theclosed position is disposed underneath the hopper so that materials maybe discharged thereto. The pan 34 also includes a flat portion 40connected to the dished portion as best shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. Theflat portion 40 includes an opening 41, best shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8.The opening 41 in the closed position of the pan 34 is adapted toregister with a slot 42 formed in one of the tracks 18 of one of theside frame members 13 as best shown in FIG. 3. The pan 34 also hasconnected thereto a pair of depending plates 43 which have suitablyconnected thereto angle brackets 44. As best shown in FIG. 3 the anglebracket 44 on the right-hand side is provided with a verticallyextending opening 45 which is adapted to register or be in verticalalignment with the openings 41 of the flat portion 40 and the slot 42 inthe track 13. The angle bracket 44 is provided with three indentationsor pockets 47 disposed beneath a rotating shaft 48 rotatably supportedin openings 49 provided in the plates 43. The shaft 48 further ispivoted for rotation in openings 46 provided in the brackets 44.

A pair of end sleeves SI) are suitably pinned to opposite ends of theshaft 48 as indicated at SI. A handle 52 is also provided at oppositeends of the shaft 48 on the sleeve 50 to assist in manual rotation ofsaid shaft. Indicator arms 53 are suitably connected to the sleeves 50of the shaft 48 as best shown in FIGS. 5 through 3. A boss 54 issupported on each of the sleeves 50 and includes a bore 55 containing aspring-loaded ball assembly 56, the ball of the assembly adapted to bemovably engaged within the pockets 47 for maintaining the shaft 48 inthree indexed positions.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3 a sleeve 57 is pinned to the shaft 48between the plates 43 and brackets 44. An arm 53 is suitably connectedfor rotation with the sleeves 57 and is pivotally connected as indicatedat 59 to a vertical dog or pin 60. The pin 60 goes through a collar 61supported on one bracket 44 and is adapted to move through the opening45, the slot 42, and opening 41 of the pan 34 to lock the said pan inthe closed position shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. Rotation of the shaft 48provides for vertical movement of the pin 60 to the desired positions.

A sleeve 62, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, is suitably pinned forrotation with the shaft 48 and includes an arm 63 which is pivotallyconnected as indicated at 64 to.a dog or pin 65 which is movable througha collar 66 supported on the horizontal portion 40 of the pan 34 and isadapted to be moved through the opening 33 as shown in FIG. 6.

A locking arrangement is generally designated at 67 as best shown inFIGS. 3, 4 and 6. A flange 68 of the rear frame member supports thereona latch element 69 having a pivot member 70 suitably pivotally supportedon pivot brackets 71 carried on the flange 68. The latch element 69comprises a horizontal portion provided with an opening 72 and having onopposite sides thereof upwardly inclined portions 73 and 74. A sleeve orcollar 75 is connected to the upwardly inclined portion 73 and supportsa rod 76 in pivotal and slidable relation. A stop 77 is connected to oneend of the rod 76 and the opposite end of the rod 76 has connectedthereto a connecting arm 78 which supports in hairpin fashion, relativeto the rod 76, a locking pin 79. The locking pin 79 in the lock positionextends through an opening 80 provided in the upper end of the pin 65 asbest shown in FIG. 6. An upwardly extending seal plate 81, as best shownin FIG. 5, is connected to the upwardly inclined portion 73 of the latchelement 69. An upwardly extending seal plate 82 is connected to theconnecting arm 78 as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 said seal plates beingprovided with openings 83 through which a car seal may be placed to sealthe locking arrangement 67 in the lock position as shown in FIG. 6.

THE OPERATION In FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 through 8, the gate 24 and pneumaticpan 34 are in the closed position underneath the discharge opening ofthe hopper 11. In the position of FIG. 6 the gate 24 and discharge pan34 are in a locked position wherein. as in dicated in FIG. 5, the shaft48 has been moved to position the spring-loaded ball assembly 56in oneof the pockets 47. In this position the pin 65 has been moved upwardly,as indicated in FIG. 6 through the collar 66 and opening 33 and throughthe opening 72 of the latch element 69. The locking pin 79 is disposedin the opening 80 and thus the latch element 69 retains the gate 24 anddischarge pan 34 in the lock position wherein the sealing member 28seals the opening 27. In this position for transport a car seal also maybe disposed in the openings 83 of the seal plates 81 and 82. When it isdesired to release the locking arrangement 67 the car seal is removedand the locking pin 79 is moved to the right in FIGS. 3 and 4 until thestop 77 engages the collar 75 whereupon the locking pin 79 is free ofthe opening 80. The connecting arm 78 is now positioned in the positionshown in FIG. 7. The shaft 48 is now rotated into the position shown inFIG. 7 wherein the pin 65 is still in engagement with the opening 33 ofthe gate 24. By actuating the pinions 30 in engagement with the rack 21,the gate 24 and pan 34 may now be moved to the left to one side of thedischarge opening to the open position. Discharge of material is noweffected by gravity from the hopper 11.

If it is desired to open only the gate 24 whereupon the pan 34 remainsin position to receive material from the hopper for pneumatic discharge,the pin 65 is completely removed from the gate 24 as best shown in FIG.8. In this position the indicator arm 53 is moved in a counterclockwisedirection and the shaft 48 pivots to withdraw the pin 65 to the downposition. In so doing the arm 58 moves the pin 60 upwardly through theslot 42 and into the opening 41 of the horizontal surface 40 of thedischarge pan 34. The gate 24 is now disconnected from the pan 34 andmay be withdrawn from the discharge opening to one side thereofunderneath the racks 21. In so doing the seal element 28 engages theundemeath'side of the upwardly sloping surface 73 and the latch element69 is momentarily moved upwardly or pivoted to permit the seal element28 to pass thereunder.

Since the pin 60 is in engagement with the slot 42 of the surface 18 andalso is in engagement with the opening 41 the pan is now held in afirmly locked position. Thus a suitable source of suction may now beapplied to the pneumatic outlet 37 for removal of material. As shown inFIG. 8 the boss 54 is now in a position wherein the spring-loaded ballassembly 56 is in the right pocket 46. When the pneumatic unloadingoperation has been completed the gate 24 is again moved into the closedposition wherein locking again may be accomplished as shown in FIG. 6.

In the position shown in FIG. 7 the pin 60 is disengaged and the pin 65is in engagement with the gate 24 so that conjoint movement of the gate24 and discharge pan 34 can be accomplished. The spring-loaded ballassembly 55 is in this position in the center pocket 47. During movementof the gate 24 to its closed position the upwardly extending sealingelement 28 engages the underneath side of the upwardly inclined portions74 to lift the latch element 69 upwardly momentarily until the sealpasses thereunder into the sealing position shown in FIG. 6.

The indicating element 53 serves to indicate to the operator theparticular relative position of the gate 24 and discharge pan 34.Selective indexing is easily accomplished by merely rotating the shaft48 by means of the handle 52. Thus a single operating shaft easilymanipulated by an operator permits the selective connection of the gates24 and pan 34 relative to each other and into the locked positions asdesired. The locking arrangement 67 is foolproof in that when the pin 79is in engagement with the opening there is no possibility of the gate 24and discharge pan 34-being accidentally moved from the locked positionsuch as could otherwise accidentally occur during train operation.

We claim:

1. A bottom outlet structure adapted to be secured beneath a hopperstructure having a discharge opening for the discharge of material,comprising:

a frame disposed beneath said hopper structure including a pair ofhorizontally spaced track members supported on opposite sides of saiddischarge opening,

a gate slidingly supported on said track members,

means for moving said gate on said track members to open and closedpositions relative to said discharge opening,

a material discharge member including a pneumatic outlet supported onsaid track members movable to open and closed positions relative to saiddischarge opening,

manually selectable indexing means between said gate and said materialdischarge member movable to one position and having means to selectiveinterconnect said gate and discharge member for conjoint movement to anopen position whereby lading is discharged by gravity,

said selectable indexing means being movable to a second position andhaving means permitting movement of said gate to the open positionindependently of said discharge member and having means whereby saiddischarge member is locked beneath said discharge opening wherebymaterial is discharged from said pneumatic outlet, and

said selectable indexing means being movable to a third .lock positionand having means wherein said gate and discharge member are locked inclosed position.

2. The invention according to claim I,

said indexing means comprising a rotatable member supported on saiddischarge member,

dog means connected to said rotatable member and movable therewith tointe connect said gate and discharge member in said one position.

3. The invention according to claim 2,

' said gate having an opening and said dog means comprising a pinpivotally connected to said rotatable member and adapted to be movedinto engagement with said opening. 4. The invention according to claim3, wherein said pivotal connection of said dog means includes a leverarm connected to said rotatable member. 5. The invention according toclaim 4, including a second dog means pivotally connected to saidrotatable member, said frame having an opening and said second dog meansbeing movable into said opening to lock said discharge member in thesecond position. 6. The invention according to claim 5, wherein saidsecond dog means comprises a second pin and said pivotal connection ofsaid second dog means includes a lever arm connected to said rotatablemember.

7. The invention according to claim 6,

comprising a locking member on said frame engageable by said first dogmeans in said third position.

8. The invention according to claim 7,

said locking member including a latch element connected to said frameand having an opening engaged by said first pm.

9. The invention according to claim 8,

said first pin having a transversely extending bore and a seal elementextending through said bore to restrain withdrawal of said first pinfrom said opening of said latch element.

10. A bottom outlet structure adapted to be secured beneath a hopperstructure having a discharge opening for the discharge of material,comprising:

a frame disposed beneath said hopper structure including a track, I

a gate slidingly supported on said track,

means for-moving said gate on said track between open and closedpositions relative to said discharge opening,

a material discharge member including a pneumatic outlet supported onsaid track for movement to open and closed positions relative to saiddischarge opening,

manually operable selective indexing meansadapted to connect saidmaterial discharge member to said gate for movement therewith includinga rotatable member carried on said discharge member,

a lever arm connected to said rotatable member,

a pin pivotally connected to said arm and movable into registeringengagement with an opening provided in said gate, and I latch means onsaid frame engageable with said pin for locking said gate and dischargemember in the closed position.

11. The invention in accordance with claim 10,

said latch means including a latch element pivotally connected to saidframe, 1

said latch element including a horizontal portion provided with anopening through which said pin projects in said locking position andhaving on opposite sides of said horizontal portion upwardly inclinedportions, and

projecting seal means on said gate for engaging a portion of said hopperto seal the same in the closed position of said gate, said seal meansengaging said inclined portions during movement of said gate forpivoting said latch element to an out-of-the-way position.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 11,

wherein said frame includes a transversely extending vertical openingthrough which said gate and discharge member moves,

said projecting seal being adapted in said closed position of said gateto seal a portion of said opening disposed between said frame and saidgate.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 11,

said latch means including a pivot bracket,

a locking member including a rotatable rod pivotally and slidablysupported on said pivot bracket, and a locking pm connected to saidlocking member and being insertable during rotating and sliding movementof said rod into an opening provided in said pin for maintaining thesame in said registering engagement.

14. A bottom outlet structure adapted to be secured beneath a hopperstructure having a discharge opening for the discharge of material,comprising:

means disposed beneath said hopper structure including track meanssupported on opposite sides of said discharge opening,

' a gate slidingly supported on said track means,

means for moving said gate on said track means to open and closedpositions relative to said discharge opening,

a material discharge member including a pneumatic outlet supported onsaid track means movable to open and closed positions relative to saiddischarge opening,

indexing means selectively connecting said gate with said dischargemember and comprising:

first means for tying the gate and material discharge member togetherfor conjoint longitudinal movement to an open position whereby lading isdischarged by gravity,

second means for locking the gate and material discharge member togetherin closed position and preventing movement of the gate and materialdischarge member with respect to the hopper, and

third means for locking the material discharge member in the closedposition for pneumatic unloading and releasing the gate so that the gatemay be moved to an open positron.

1. A bottom outlet structure adapted to be secured beneath a hopperstructure having a discharge opening for the discharge of material,comprising: a frame disposed beneath said hopper structure including apair of horizontally spaced track members supported on opposite sides ofsaid discharge opening, a gate slidingly supported on said trackmembers, means for moving said gate on said track members to open andclosed positions relative to said discharge opening, a materialdischarge member including a pneumatic outlet supported on said trackmembers movable to open and closed positions relative to said dischargeopening, manually selectable indexing means between said gate and saidmaterial discharge member movable to one position and having means toselective interconnect said gate and discharge member for conjointmovement to an open position whereby lading is discharged by gravity,said selectable indexing means being movable to a second position andhaving means permitting movement of said gate to the open positionindependently of said discharge member and having means whereby saiddischarge member is locked beneath said discharge opening wherebymaterial is discharged from said pneumatic outlet, and said selectableindexing means being movable to a third lock position and having meanswherein said gate and discharge member are locked in closed position. 2.The invention according to claim 1, said indexing means comprising arotatable member supported on said discharge member, dog means connectedto said rotatable member and movable therewith to interconnect said gateand discharge member in said one position.
 3. The invention according toclaim 2, said gate having an opening and said dog means comprising a pinpivotally connected to said rotatable member and adapted to be movedinto engagement with said opening.
 4. The invention according to claim3, wherein said pivotal connection of said dog means includes a leverarm connected to said rotatable member.
 5. The invention according toclaim 4, including a second dog means pivotally connected to saidrotatable member, said frame having an opening and said second dog meansbeing movable into said opening to lock said discharge member in thesecond position.
 6. The invention according to claim 5, wherein saidsecond dog means comprises a second pin and said pivotal connection ofsaid second dog means includes a lever arm connected to said rotatablemember.
 7. The invention according to claim 6, comprising a lockingmember on said frame engageable by said first dog means in said thirdposition.
 8. The invention according to claim 7, said locking memberincluding a latch element connected to said frame and having an openingengaged by said first pin.
 9. The invention according to claim 8, saidfirst pin having a transversely extending bore and a seal elementextending through said bore to restrain withdrawal of said first pinfrom said opening of said latch element.
 10. A bottom outlet structureadapted to be secured beneath a hopper structure having a dischargeopening for the discharge of material, comprising: a frame disposedbeneath said hopper structure including a track, a gate slidinglysupported on said track, means for moving said gate on said trackbetween open and closed positions relative to said discharge opening, amaterial discharge member including a pneumatic outlet supported on saidtrack for movement to open and closed positions relative to saiddischarge opening, manually operable selective indexing means adapted toconnect said material discharge member to said gate for movementtherewith including a rotatable member carried on said discharge member,a lever arm connected to said rotatable member, a pin pivotallyconnected to said arm and movable into registering engagement with anopening provided in said gate, and latch means on said frame engageablewith said pin for locking said gate and discharge member in the closedposition.
 11. The invention in accordance with claim 10, said latchmeans including a latch element pivotally connected to said frame, saidlatch element including a horizontal portion provided with an openingthrough which said pin projects in said locking position and having onopposite sides of said horizontal portion upwardly inclined portions,and projecting seal means on said gaTe for engaging a portion of saidhopper to seal the same in the closed position of said gate, said sealmeans engaging said inclined portions during movement of said gate forpivoting said latch element to an out-of-the-way position.
 12. Theinvention in accordance with claim 11, wherein said frame includes atransversely extending vertical opening through which said gate anddischarge member moves, said projecting seal being adapted in saidclosed position of said gate to seal a portion of said opening disposedbetween said frame and said gate.
 13. The invention in accordance withclaim 11, said latch means including a pivot bracket, a locking memberincluding a rotatable rod pivotally and slidably supported on said pivotbracket, and a locking pin connected to said locking member and beinginsertable during rotating and sliding movement of said rod into anopening provided in said pin for maintaining the same in saidregistering engagement.
 14. A bottom outlet structure adapted to besecured beneath a hopper structure having a discharge opening for thedischarge of material, comprising: means disposed beneath said hopperstructure including track means supported on opposite sides of saiddischarge opening, a gate slidingly supported on said track means, meansfor moving said gate on said track means to open and closed positionsrelative to said discharge opening, a material discharge memberincluding a pneumatic outlet supported on said track means movable toopen and closed positions relative to said discharge opening, indexingmeans selectively connecting said gate with said discharge member andcomprising: first means for tying the gate and material discharge membertogether for conjoint longitudinal movement to an open position wherebylading is discharged by gravity, second means for locking the gate andmaterial discharge member together in closed position and preventingmovement of the gate and material discharge member with respect to thehopper, and third means for locking the material discharge member in theclosed position for pneumatic unloading and releasing the gate so thatthe gate may be moved to an open position.